Lock for cistern-covers



(No Model.)

H. OBERJOHANN.

LOCK FOR GISTBRN COVERS.

No. 586,800. Patented July 20,1897.

r V/Wi/TL UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY OBERJOIIANN, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

LOOK FOR ClSTERN-COVERS'.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 586,800, dated July 20, 1897.

Application filed January 23,1897. Serial No. 620,341. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Beitknown that I, HENRY OBERJOHANN, of Toledo, county of Lucas, and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Looks for Cistern-Oovers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to a lock for cisterncovers, and has for its object to construct a lock that shall not only be positive when in engagement, but convenient of disengagement either by the foot or hand.

A further object is to provide a locking device adapted to be automatically locked by the lowering of the cover or unlocked automatically by a manipulation of the cover in the act of raising the same.

The essential idea of my invention is to prevent the possibility of children raising the cover of the cistern, with the frequent result of drowning.

lVith these objects in view the invention consists in a lock for the cover adapted to be unlocked by raising the trip manually or automatically unlocked by manipulating the cover.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a cistern top and cover with my improved lock attached, showing the cover locked. Fig. 2 is a like view showing the cover locked in full lines and unlocked in dotted lines, also showing the swing of the locking-lever when unlocked automatically by the manipulation of the cover.

1 designates the cistern-top,and 2 the cover, hinged thereon. Pivotally suspended from one side of the top is a locking-bar 3, moving in a keeper 4, secured upon the side of the top and having a notch5 upon the inner curved face of the bar.

6 designates an angled locking-lever pivoted at the angle by a bolt or pin 7, the horizontal arm 8 of the lever having a catch 9 to engage notch 5 and the vertical arm 10 formed with an angled foot-piece ll of a height above the cistern-platform 12 to allow of inserting the toe of the foot beneath the foot-piece to swing the vertical arm outwardly on the pivot, thereby causing arm 8 to swing downwardly in the are of a circle and. disengage the catch 9 from notch 5 and allow of raising the cover. Arm 10 is suitably guided in a keeper 13, secured upon the side of the cistern-top.

In order to disengage the lock automatically the cover is given a quick upward movement, causing the locking-bar 3 to give a quick jerk upon the catch 9, with the effect of initially swinging the Vertical arm 10 inwardly, when a downward movement of the cover will cause the vertical arm 10 to swing outwardly to a degree to release the catch, whereupon a quick elevation of the cover will result in raising the bar 3 above the locking-point before the vertical arm 10 returns to engage the catch 9 with notch 5. This manipulation of the cover is easily accomplished and results in automatically unlocking the lock.

It will be seen that it is impossible for a child to unlock or raise the cover, as the act of pressing down on the foot-piece only secures the locking engagement more firmly.

lVhat I claim is- 1. A look for cistern-covers comprising a notched bar pivotally suspended from the cover and a locking-lever pivotally attached to the cistern-top having a catch to engage the notch.

2. A look for cistern-covers, comprising a notched bar pivotally suspended from the cover, and an angled lever pivotally attached to the cistern-top, having an arm provided with a catch to engage the notch and a vertical arm adapted to swing outwardly to disengage the catch.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I hereby a'fiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY OBERJOI-IANN.

\Vitnesses:

CARL H. KELLER, WILLIAM WEBsTER. 

